Publishing Date: March 4th, 2014
Genre: YA
Pages: 408 pgs
ISBN: 9780062014559
Source: Received for honest review from publisher via Edelweiss
Summary from Goodreads:
Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.
Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.
Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.
For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.
My Review:
Panic is about a group of teens involved in a game to win a large sum of money. In order to win said money they must compete in several tasks that are increasingly more insane. Each round is like an elimination round that the last one standing wins.
The main character Heather had no plans to enter this dangerous game but on a whim, after her boyfriend breaks up with her, decides to enter. She then joins forces with her best friend and Dodge, a boy with his own reasons for joining the game.
As the story progresses and the stunts the graduates are encouraged to do for money quickly escalates in danger and ridiculousness, it becomes apparent that each player in the Panic game is in it for good reasons. Many are in less than ideal housing and familial situations. Others are in it for revenge. I enjoyed reading about the background stories of the characters.
While I found the story entertaining and the characters memorable, I have to admit that some of the story drove me crazy. Some of it had me thinking: Really?!? The stunts that are pulled are actually insane. Some people are seriously injured and other even end up dead. Even if I was in the worst financial situation I don't think I'd be able to last til the end. I would more than likely give up because it is just too insane.
I also wondered why the police weren't more a presence. I hate to be condescending but I'm fairly certain that most police forces are more cunning than a group of teens. I just found it some of it a bit too difficult to believe.
That being said, I did enjoy the story and gobbled it up. Oliver's writing style is one that I enjoy. The words just flow from the page, to the imagination seamlessly. Also, let's talk about cover appeal. This is gorgeous. The typeset is the same as the Delirium series and the picture is great. I love the hair and the black background. I would buy this book on the cover alone.
In summary, while I had some issues with this book, I think that it is one that is worth reading. Oliver isn't this popular for no reason.
The main character Heather had no plans to enter this dangerous game but on a whim, after her boyfriend breaks up with her, decides to enter. She then joins forces with her best friend and Dodge, a boy with his own reasons for joining the game.
As the story progresses and the stunts the graduates are encouraged to do for money quickly escalates in danger and ridiculousness, it becomes apparent that each player in the Panic game is in it for good reasons. Many are in less than ideal housing and familial situations. Others are in it for revenge. I enjoyed reading about the background stories of the characters.
While I found the story entertaining and the characters memorable, I have to admit that some of the story drove me crazy. Some of it had me thinking: Really?!? The stunts that are pulled are actually insane. Some people are seriously injured and other even end up dead. Even if I was in the worst financial situation I don't think I'd be able to last til the end. I would more than likely give up because it is just too insane.
I also wondered why the police weren't more a presence. I hate to be condescending but I'm fairly certain that most police forces are more cunning than a group of teens. I just found it some of it a bit too difficult to believe.
That being said, I did enjoy the story and gobbled it up. Oliver's writing style is one that I enjoy. The words just flow from the page, to the imagination seamlessly. Also, let's talk about cover appeal. This is gorgeous. The typeset is the same as the Delirium series and the picture is great. I love the hair and the black background. I would buy this book on the cover alone.
In summary, while I had some issues with this book, I think that it is one that is worth reading. Oliver isn't this popular for no reason.
I've been hearing some conflicting thoughts on this book. I've been wanting to read it just because it is a Lauren Oliver book and I can't say no, I hope to read it soon, though it seems to continually being pushed back the more reviews I read... Thanks for the honest review!
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